One Mortgage System (OMS) has retained its position as the UK’s highest-rated mortgage CRM platform, topping the Smart Money People Mortgage Lender Benchmark Study for the second consecutive reporting period.

OMS achieved the highest broker experience index score in the CRM category, having also led the ranking in H2 2025. The platform was recognised for its “consistently strong performance across overall satisfaction, ease of use, value for money and customer support”.

The latest study highlighted the increasing expectations brokers place on technology, with firms looking for platforms that simplify the advice process, improve case visibility and reduce unnecessary administration.

Recognise Bank has completed a £4.75m bridging loan to support the refinance and expansion of a long-established family-owned estate in Scotland, which includes a hotel and golf courses.

The finance facility was structured over a 24-month term, with funds used to refinance and to provide a £1m capital raise to support the continued refurbishment of the hotel, groundworks for the proposed new golf range, and costs towards securing planning permission for the proposed holiday lodges.

The transaction required a considered approach due to the scale and mixed-use nature of the estate, as well as the borrower’s plans to invest in and expand the business over the facility term. The deal was led by senior lending manager Luke Meirne, supported by Recognise’s wider lending and operations team.

Hope Capital Property Finance has enhanced its residential proposition, with a focus on widening access to key features, simplifying processes and supporting more borrowers through a range of lending scenarios.

The key enhancements include below market value transactions, with Hope Capital now considering lending up to 75% of open market value, and instant valuations on cases up to £1m.

Furthermore, the lender has increased its dual legal representation threshold from £750,000 to £1m, while refurbishment funding can be forward funded in refurbishment tranches and its minimum loan size has been reduced from £100,000 to £50,000.

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